incompetent cervix - any reason to worry about this?!

[vmcd28]

OK, so I'm 19w 3d, and have only now started to relax with this pg (after 2 MC last year and a high risk of Downs with this pg).

However, having (foolishly) read too much some things on the internet, I now know about the slight risk of an incompetent cervix.

I had a D&C a couple of days before Xmas. It seems that the cervix can be damaged due to a D&C, and of course I've now made myself paranoid about this possibility.

Really, what I want to know is, IF the cervix had been "damaged" (even slightly) by a D&C, would the surgeons who carried it out know this? i.e. would I have been told at the time that there would have been some damage?
I had a detailed scan at 19 weeks - would a problem with my cervix have been noticed at that time - is this something that is checked?

Many thanks. x

Hi vmcd28

I had a mmc in jan and had to have a d&c I have often wondered the same about my cervix as when i was 13 weeks I had a massive bleed which came from the top of my cervix it has since healed, I asked the medical staff if it was because I had a d&c and they said no so try not to worry.

I am also high risk of downs so I know how your feeling I spoke to you the other day re my blood results.

x

ah yes, I remember. Thanks for your reply. I was reading last night that pelvic floor exercises are often all that it needed to support an incompetent cervix, so guess what I've been doing ALL day.

I just feel as if I'm now looking for things to worry about - too much information online is not always a good thing.

How many weeks are you now, again?

Ha ha know what you mean google can be evil sometimes! I am 17 weeks today having my 20 week scan on the 21st will be 19+4.x

Be sure to let me know how you get on with your scan.

Ps was there any evidence that you personally don't hv an incompetent cervix, or is their opinion simply that it is very unlikely in most cases??

I as classed as a high risk with dd due to previous biopsy taken from cervix. As long as they are aware of your medical history, if they were concerned they would have spoken to you about monitoring your cervix during pregnancy. Try not to worry, I know it's hard though. If you are overally concerned mention it to your midwife.

As I mananged to get to 39+1 weeks with DD, I am no longer a risk so am off consultant care with this one.

In answer to your question, when I had my biopsy the surgeon told me she had tried to avoid going to deep due to my age at the time and having no children. It was still monitored throughout and even though my cervix was measuring shorter than normal, and at 27 weeks it was softening, I still made it to 39 weeks.

So even if there is a risk, it doesn't necessarily mean it will happen

I have an incompetant cervix and had it sutured at 15 weeks. If you are concerned about it, I'd mention it at your next scan.

Thanks, kreecher. Do you mind me asking if there was a reason for you having this problem? I might phone the midwife tomorrow, just to ask about it.
The thing is, I am 19 and a half weeks, and my next scan is 22w 5d, so I am a bit wary of just not mentioning it to anyone before then.
As I said, I think I am just worrying for the sake of it now... Plenty of people have D&Cs and have no problems, so why should I be any different?

I've no idea what the reason was. I had a late miscarriage which was blamed on my cervix so when I was pregnant with DD I specifically asked about it. I had a trans vaginal scan which showed lengthening and thinning and went in that day to have it done.

that is outrageous that you had to ask about it, after your previous problem. Thank goodness you did.

In the defence of the woman who sutured me, we weren't living in the UK and she had no medical notes to check. She was the second consultant I saw, the first didn't believe they existed , luckily Mr Kreecher came over all macho and discharged me from her care (which in retrospect was silly, I didn't have a doctor for a couple of weeks)

My best friend had three miscarriages before she was diagnosed with incompetent cervix - none of them got beyond about 11 weeks, I don't think. I suspect that if your cervix was incompetent, vmcd, then you would have known by now.

Thanks for all the comments. I'm going to be brave and phone the mw tomorrow, but expect to be brushed off by her.
Anything I've read says it's midpregnancy when an IC can cause problems. As I said, I think I'm looking for things to worry about now

With an incompetent cervix a loss can happen in the 2nd and early 3rd trimester also.

I still worry that it could happen this pregnancy even though I was told that my body has proven that my biopsy hasn't weakened my cevix by making it to 39 weeks with DD.
It is still at the back of my mind with this pregnancy, by this stage with DD I had had my cervix measured and I had an appointment for internal check. With this one I have had no cervical check and it does scare me.
I can understand your concern, so hopefully your midwife will be helpful when you speak to them.

Just spoke to midwife. She said it's very rare, and is not something they check for if you haven't had a previous 2nd trimster miscarriage.
However, if the sonographer pointed out your cervix at yr scan, it means they would hv noticed if something was not right.

I didn't want to say that, but with me they monitored but they did say they wouldn't diagnose unless loss had occured in previous pregnancy or this pregnancy. They would take precautions i.e. steroids for lungs if as in my case cervix was softening at 27 weeks.
Sonographer did point out cervix on my 20 week scan and said it was firmly closed this time, so that was nice.

Hope you can relax now

nunnie, thanks for your advice. I am getting another scan in 3 weeks, so - all being well - I will ask him to have a definite look then.